Audio Tech Goodness From Slim Devices
I've been looking at devices that will interface directly with my home audio system and allow access to my mp3 collection stored on a huge hard drive on a file-server computer in another room.
Since the AudioTron has apparently been discontinued, I've been looking a lot at the Squeezebox made by Slim Devices.
What sets the Squeezebox apart from other devices like it (including consumer offerings from Netgear, Creative, and Linksys) is that it doesn't require the user to install the retarded Microsoft .net framework on the server computer. Rather, the proprietary software that powers the server computer is open source. And it can be used to serve the Squeezebox (or several squeezeboxes) as well as other remote computers anywhere on the network. Just enter the streaming url of the server computer into any local box, and you have full access to the server software, which (as mentioned) supports multiple sessions. And because it's open source, all sorts of interesting plugins and other developments are being refined constantly by an active development community.
I've been playing with the software a bit tonight (as I put some finishing touches on a little web project I've been working on for a few weeks now), and I have to say that it's really impressive. It hardly bogs down the server computer at all, yet remains highly responsive. If I decide to buy any of the devices I've been considering, having a chance to try out this software beforehand, and the fact that it's open source, DEFINITELY give Slim Devices the advantage.
Oh, and the fact that the server software allows (with a bit of tinkering with my router) for streaming music anywhere over the internet (say to work) is another big plus.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/27/04 19:15 | Other | Technorati
Previous Entry | Home | Next Entry
TrackBack
There are currently no trackbacks for this item.
Incoming trackback pings have been disabled because of abusive spammers. Technorati is now used to track cross-blog conversation.
Comments
Michael and I are considering the Slimbox as a possible way to use our MP3s with a stereo.
The downside for us is that it doesn't AFAIK support AAC files, and we have quite a few of those (not all of which are iTunes-bought; that's also the format Michael likes for ripping CDs.)
Posted by Ginger @ 19:52 on 09/27/04
What are you using as a server OS?
Posted by Scott Chaffin @ 20:09 on 09/27/04
Scott: It's the winxp machine I "retired" to the back when I picked up this Athlon 64 laptop for my main machine. I still haven't gone all gung ho with the FreeBSD stuff that I was playing with once upon a time, or I'd probably be running that old machine on it. Instead, I spend my time typing crap here instead of learning something useful. :)
Posted by Kevin @ 20:22 on 09/27/04
Ginger: You might have another look. The product sheet for the Squeezebox seems to indicate that it does support AAC now:
http://www.slimdevices.com/...
Posted by Kevin @ 20:29 on 09/27/04
Audiotron's been discontinued? I guess John and I have a collector's item, then. Ours runs very well.
Posted by Cathy @ 11:43 on 09/30/04
Add Comments
While it is not required, creating an account for commenting provides a number of benefits (such as comment editing and bypassing the captcha challenge). You may log in to your account here.
No flames or impolite behavior. Any questions, see the site policies. Older posts are moderated (because of spammers), so if your post does not appear immediately, that could be why.
HTML will be stripped. URLs will be transformed into hyperlinks.
[b]text[/b] will produce bold text. [i]text[/i] will produce italicized text.
Comments for this post must be approved before being published. Thank you!
BLOG
» Create Account
» Log In
DISCLAIMER
Content and design copyright © 1997-2008, Kevin Whited.
Posts represent the views of Kevin Whited (and occasional guest bloggers) only, and do not necessarily reflect the views of employers, family, friends, or significant others.